Interesting Fact: The Para in Paralympics derives from the Greek "Para" (beside or alongside) and merely refers to the fact it runs side-by-side with the Olympics, and has nothing to do with Paraplegic or Paralysis like some people assume.

 

So that begs the question, why was it not Para for the Course that Golf was included in the Paralympics as well as making its return to the Olympics?

Watching some of the sporting excellence and, quite frankly, unbelievable feats of these Paralympic athletes is on the one hand so inspiring, but on the other almost demoralising when you compare your able-bodied incompetence to what these guys are capable of. I find it hard to even use the term disability because it`s actually me that has the disability to do many or any of the things the Paralympians do. Another fascinating aspect of these Superhuman`s talents is many of these people were born with their flaw, and have developed, grown and overcome with it always being part of their makeup. But for others they have had to adapt to a new way of life after inheriting their physical 'challenge'.

Growing up as a Junior at my Golf Club we had a Member who had to overcome one of those challenges when he lost his left arm in a terrible accident on the Oil Rigs. His name was Brian Crombie and in the aftermath of his accident, and now unable to work, he dedicated his rehabilitation to life by focussing on Golf. A game he hadn`t been particularly good at when fully limbed. However, with lots of practice, perseverance, and sheer bloody-mindedness, Brian not only achieved a Handicap as low as 6 but he also went on to win the World One Armed Championship 3 times.

Not only did he have a fantastic attitude towards his disability but a great sense of humour too. Often if he hooked a drive or pulled a putt he would always say "Acht, too much right hand"...

I`ve also had the opportunity to watch Blind Golfers triumph at this fabulous game. Now ask yourself how you think you`d do if you had to rely on all your senses EXCEPT sight to 'hit that wee white baw.'? You certainly couldn`t roll out the age old excuse of "arrgh, I took my eye off the ball".

It wasn`t that long ago when we watched the one legged golfer play in the 2009 Dunhill Links Championship. Manual De Los Santos was a Professional Baseball Player on the verge of playing in the MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays when he lost his leg in a horrific car accident. Manual now plays off a 3 Handicap. 

Click here to check him out - Does this not put you to shame..

So when you see and hear of all these amazing golfers who have overcome adversity, does it not make you think this would be not only a fabulous event to include in the Olympics, but also another great opportunity to promote the game as being "Something For Everyone". After all we are one of the few sports that creates a level playing field for all players by giving them a HANDICAP.

On the subject of not having a leg to stand on, I see Joey Barton has proved that his mouth is faster than his brain or his legs and has now found his best position - Left Back…….in the house. I know S6(Essex) is a grade in the Paralympics but surely Scouse isn`t?


 

Being at home can sometimes be a big advantage. Just ask Francesco Molinari. He triumphed in the Italian Open at the weekend. His 22 Under Par total was good enough to win by 1 from Masters Champ, Danny Willet, and claim his 2nd National Title. For Francesco it was too little form too late for him to make a bid for Ryder Cup consideration, however for European aspirations it was a timely return to form for quite a few of our Ryder Cup players. Danny Willett will be pleased to have not only found a little spark that had been missing lately, but also how he performed down the stretch in that tournament when he chased down the local favourites 4 stroke lead.

There were also good finishes for the likes of Cabrera Bello(12th), Fitzpatrick(=16th), Kaymer & Wood(Both =20th) 

The Yanks had a week off before they bring the curtain down on not only the Fed Ex Cup Series, but also their final Ryder Cup Wildcard pick. Then it`s all eyes on Hazeltine. I`m giddy with excitement if I`m being honest and can`t wait to see what the pairings for the first set of matches are going to be.




The only other pairings I am more excited about are those for the OTHER great Team Match going on this autumn.

If the Ryder Cup is the warm up act then the Cappro Cup is the main event. The action gets underway on Saturday, 8 October but last Friday night the Captain, myself and many of the guys taking part gathered in the Clubhouse to make the all-important draw for Teams.

The Captain got first pick and I followed. What transpired is the following matchups:

I`m not sure if I`m praying more for my players to find top form or just that everyone will make it to Match Day in one piece.




Certainly some of the Cappro Cuppers have found some form already. On Saturday Both Michael Edwards and Jay Donald got themselves in the money and reduced their handicaps. In Michael's case it was good enough to also top Division 1 with 68. Neil Watt managed to top his Division 2 with a 69, while Grant Turnbull will be glad of his last minute decision to enter the Competition as he topped Division 3 with a 68.

Division 1 
1st = Michael Edwards - 74(6) - 68, 1st = Stan Forbes - 77(9) - 68, 3rd - Jay Donald - 75(6) - 69 

Division 2 
1st - Neil Watt - 83(14) - 69, 2nd = Dino Becci - 82(12) - 70, 3rd - Alan Simpson - 82(12) - 70 

Division 3 
1st = Grant Turnbull - 85(17) - 68, 1st = Paul Dallas - 86(18) - 68, 3rd - John Findlay - 91(20) - 71

 

   

   

Sunday was Trophy time with the Presidents Putter up for grabs (No, not Obama`s Odyssey) 

Strong winds and the Black Tees made for tricky scoring conditions and in the end it was a 3 Way Tie on 71. This was settled on countback with Ross Leslie sneaking it courtesy of the better back 9 holes.

Ryan Penny will be ruing a quadruple bogey 8 at the 17th for spoiling his chances but has the consolation of topping Division 1 with his 71. In Division 2 it was Lee Cameron on 73 that had something to smile about, but the biggest smile would definitely be from Ross Leslie who edged Ian Robertson out after both finished on 71.

Division 1 
1st - Ryan Penny - 73(2) - 71, 2nd - Kevin Daglish - 73(1) - 72, 3rd - Mark Leslie - 82(9) - 73 

Division 2 
1st = Lee William Cameron - 86(13) - 73, 1st = Gary Chalmers - 87(14) - 73, 3rd - Rab Dickson - 88(13) - 75 

Division 3 
1st = Ross Leslie - 88(17) - 71, 1st = Ian Robertson - 98(27) - 71, 3rd - Brian Alves - 90(17) - 73

    

 

 

The Wednesday Walk On was a slightly more rewarding Yellow Tee Stableford. 

Another Cappro Cupper, Willie Somers, found some form with 38 Points to top Division 1. In Division 2 it was an even better showing from Gary Stevenson where his 41 Points took the honours in Division 2. Division 3 saw another Cappro Cup player, Norman McBain, hit the heights of first place in Division 3 with 40 Points.

Division 1 
1st - Willie Somers - 38 Points, 2nd - Kieran Spence - 37 Points, 3rd - Grant Munro - 36 Points 

Division 2 
1st - Gary Stevenson - 41 Points, 2nd - Graham Rennie - 40 Points, 3rd - Dino Becci - 36 Points 

Division 3 
1st - Norman McBain - 40 Points, 2nd = Robert McCabe - 39 Points, 2nd = Gary Duncan - 39 Points

   

   

Wednesday also saw us run the first of 5 9 Hole Stableford's on a Wednesday evening. These give guys a chance to play a Competitive 9 Holes which will count towards your 3 Card requirement if you haven`t submitted enough scores to retain your Handicap this season so far. They are also tailor made for guys who can`t manage 18 Holes after their work now because of the fading light.


 

Something else that`s tailor made for you is the latest Promotion I can offer from TaylorMade. 

Hot on the heels of the very successful Double Trade In on M Series Woods Promotion, TaylorMade have now given me the chance to offer you guys a FREE M1 Hybrid with any set of Custom Fitted PSi Irons. I can endorse these irons first hand as I`ve been playing them for a little while now, and can confidently say that not only have they increased my Iron distances, but the distance and forgiveness that you get from mishits (and I`ve REALLY tested this feature out..) is the best I`ve ever experienced in a traditional, dare I say, good players style of Club. 

They look great, feel great, play better. 

So why not take them for a Test Drive with our Trial Set, or better still book in for an expert Custom Fit Session where we will tailor these TaylorMade's exactly to your swings needs.



Click here to find out more about the PSi irons, or click here to get in touch if you would like to arrange a fitting session here at Portlethen.


 

On that subject I have also been able to secure a Date for a second TaylorMade Fitting/Demo Day 

Here are the details:

Thursday, 20 October  from 12pm-4pm 

If you would like to book a FREE fitting Appointment, click here to get in touch


 

However, if that date seems too far away remember I offer a comprehensive and expert Custom Fitting Experience all the time - any time. Like many of the aspects of my Professional Role I am always eager to improve my service to you guys whilst also increasing my knowledge and skills, I made the trip this week to St Andrews and visited Callaway`s National Performance Centre. There myself and a hand-picked band of fellow Golf Professionals attended a Custom Fit Workshop where Callaway`s expert fitters went into detail on the many aspects of modern Club Fitting, including the understanding and application of the Launch Monitor Data. A tool that is a huge part of my fitting experience.

If you would like to take advantage of my newfound knowledge about custom fitting, click here to arrange your fitting session.




All of my Club Fitting is done on the Driving Range and that is why I have been very keen to see the Practice Facility standards improve. The Club have invested in this area and the Upgrade project is ongoing, but it is very disheartening when you see the investment and attempts to improve things simply abused.

The other day a Member handed in one of the new Srixon Range Balls that he had found ON THE 15th HOLE.. Our new Range Basket collection has diminished further as well. From the original 20 it quickly dropped to 19, and now it seems it has fallen further to 16 now.

On a cheerier note the continued good spell of weather has seen the course maintain it`s great condition. However we can`t cheat Mother Nature forever and the fact is we are tip toeing into Autumn and closer to winter now. 

Neil and his Team have been working tirelessly to keep the standards high and prepare for the off season. Aeriation and over-seeding of the Approaches has taken place as has a light aeriation and dressing of the greens.




As the season's coming to an end we had another Medal to play for on Saturday. This time it was the Walk on Medal Final. So all the juniors that won a Walk on Medal throughout the year were eligible to play.

Unlike last week's close battle, this one was won by Murray Sinclair who was 5 shots ahead of the nearest competitor. His nett score of 65 also means he is now off 16 handicap.

Saturday - Junior Walk On Medal Final 
Yellow Tees 

1st - Murray Sinclair - 82(17) - 65 
2nd = Brandon Simpson - 79(9) - 70 
2nd = Matthew Davie - 90(20) - 70

As some of you may have known I was away at Dornoch for a PGA Young Pro's event from Saturday - Monday. The Pro Am took place on Saturday which I played pretty well in and came 5th with a score of 71(+1). However I didn't do so well in the actual event and scored 74, 78 to finish 24th. I clearly used up too many good shots on the Pro Am day. We had 3 beautiful days, and even though I didn't play as well as I'd hoped, I always enjoy my time up at Dornoch, it's too beautiful not to.

Also for anyone who's ever fancied a game at Dornoch and check what the fuss is all about, you should know that it was only £60 per person to play in the Pro Am! That's including: tea/coffee & breakfast roll, round on the Championship Course & Meal. The normal visitor rate is about £120.

Also I'd like to inform the parents of any kids that golf at the club that we are holding a Golphin Trial Day on Saturday, 15 October from 2pm-4pm. The company will bring a range of their products which anyone can try and there will be plenty of games/challenges too such as Longest Drive & Closest to the Pin. The Golhpin clubs have bigger heads and lighter shafts which help juniors create speed and be more consistent and most importantly enjoy golf.

Further details on this days will be emailed to everyone who attended the Junior Gang Development and have provided an email, as well as any junior members who we think could benefit from the Golphin products. 


 

Customer Survey

If you haven't done so already, please take this opportunity to provide some very quick feedback to the team by clicking onto the survey link below and answering a few questions. This will help us to review the service we provide you with. 

Get started